The Shortest Time In Braces

Almost everyone that undergoes orthodontic treatment wants their beautiful smile to be complete as fast as possible. Living with braces requires more time and attention devoted to maintaining good oral hygiene; if you don’t clean your teeth and gums adequately, you can develop cavities and gum disease. It makes sense that a quick orthodontic treatment is also healthier for many people!

The rate at which teeth can be moved is limited by our own bodies. It takes time for the bone around your teeth to remodel to allow for tooth movement. This rate of bone remodeling is slightly different in everyone and can be significantly different for children versus older adults. Children’s and teenagers’ teeth move quickly and an orthodontist is able to influence the growth of their jaws, which is why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be first evaluated by an orthodontist at age 7.

In order for teeth to move their fastest, Doctors Abdoney and Cronauer use orthodontic wires that exhibit light, continuous forces, which allows for minimal compression of the tiny blood vessels around the teeth. This blood supply allows for your cells to be most effective at remodeling the bone in the areas where the teeth are being pushed.

Patients can also affect the length of their treatment time in a major way! Braces can be broken off when our eating guidelines are not adhered to. Depending on the stage of treatment and how long a bracket has been off, the doctor may not be able to replace your same wire. (In other words, you may have to take a few steps backwards in treatment!) You may be asked to wear rubber bands for a short or a long period of time so that your bite can be corrected. If you don’t follow the instructions for your rubber bands, you won’t progress in treatment. Lastly, poor oral hygiene that results in puffy gums can lengthen your treatment time because thick gums can physically impede closing spaces or prevent braces from being able to be replaced in the proper position!

Dr.s Abdoney and Cronauer are methodical in performing your customized treatment plan so that you can fully enjoy your new smile in the shortest amount of time possible! You can help your orthodontist in your mutual goal of a quick treatment by being meticulous in your oral hygiene and following your food guidelines! 🙂